Goldmann tonometry is considered which type of tonometry?

Goldmann tonometry is classified as applanation tonometry, which measures intraocular pressure (IOP) by flattening a known area of the cornea. This technique relies on the principle that the pressure within the eye can be ascertained by the force required to achieve a specified degree of flattening of the corneal surface.

In Goldmann tonometry, a small probe is placed against the cornea, and pressure is applied. The amount of force needed to achieve the flattening is measured and converted into intraocular pressure readings. This method is highly regarded for its accuracy and is considered the gold standard in tonometry due to its ability to measure IOP effectively across various corneal conditions.

Other types of tonometry, such as indentation tonometry, assess pressure by measuring the indentation made in the cornea, while rebound tonometry utilizes a small probe that makes brief contact with the cornea, and dynamic contour tonometry involves measuring IOP directly from the contour of the cornea. Each of these methods may have different applications and levels of accuracy, but Goldmann's method remains optimal for clinical settings, thereby reinforcing its classification as applanation tonometry.